[Osteoarthropathy in beta-thalassemia]

A total of 45 patients with beta-thalassemia and 30 patients with thalassemia intermedia underwent clinical and x-ray examinations. Electron microscopy was used to examine biopsy specimens of the synovial membrane from 6 patients with homozygous thalassemia intermedia. It has been revealed that damage to the osseous system and joints is of systemic nature and depends on the clinical form of the pathological process. Morphological methods have demonstrated abnormal metabolism of iron with its deposition in the tissues and impairment of the vessels of the microcirculatory bed.